Overhead transfer carrier and tracks

Abstract

This invention improves upon my Pat. Nos. 3,483,829 and 3,484,002 and on my pending patent application titled CONTAINER OVERHEAD TRANSFER AND STORAGE SYSTEM Ser. No. 269,239, filed July 5, 1972, wherein the improvement comprises a cam track dip and container carrier for operating thereon to vertically transfer loads to and from a moving train. The cam dip serves to lower and raise a hook or load frame on the carrier to transfer one or more containers or cages to and from a train running parallel below. The hook or load frame is secured on double parallelogram linkage to the frame of the carrier and has outboard wheels for running on the cam track for parallel level movement of the frame down and up along the transfer dip. The hook or load lifting frame is hooked or latched to the carrier frame when lifted thereto and released by bars on each side of the carrier when these bars engage wheels positioned at the dip to release the hook or load frame for a transfer dip when the carrier is checked for register of container with empty spot on car in train to which the carrier is vertically coupled. This cam dip is further applied to carriers having a transfer container or cage as part of the carrier. The hook frame has container hooks which take less space to operate and are enclosed when opened so as not to interfere with the cam track. Where the container is moved along conveyor in car and shifted on carrier in station a stationary hooking arrangement is provided.

I claim as my invention: 
     
       1. In a container transfer system comprising a track, thereon having at least one container vehicle, a station track run above the track substantially parallel therewith for a distance, at least one container, a container carrier on said station track for loading and unloading said container onto said vehicle while moving therewith, said carrier having a first frame and a second frame, wheel means supporting said first frame on said station track, said second frame being a container lifting frame, guide means on said carrier for guiding said lifting frame parallel and in alignment with said first frame, the improvement being at least one cam wheel on said lifting frame, a cam track comprising at least one rail on which said cam wheel runs along side of and above the first said track and including a dip down and up for lowering and raising said lifting frame to set down and pick up said container from said vehicle. 
     
     
       2. A system as in claim 1, hooks spaced along said first frame for engaging under said lifting frame to support same and means for opening said hooks together when said carrier is at head of the dip to release said lifting frame to make the dip, said hooks latching said lifting frame up under said first frame upon return from the transfer dip. 
     
     
       3. A system as in claim 1, said lifting frame having hooks thereabout for engaging said container, said hooks each comprising a depending tubular member, a hook plate pivotally secured at bottom in each said tubular member to swing in transverse plane and having a tooth above and inward from the pivot of the hook, means biasing said tooth inward to latching position, an extension of said hook plate for engaging said tubular member to stop inward movement at substantially latching position and means for swinging said hook plate into the enclosure of said tubular member when releived of the container. 
     
     
       4. In a system as in claim 1, said cam track being under said station track but above first said track. 
     
     
       5. In a system as in claim 1, said cam track being above said station track, said station track being wide gage suspended track. 
     
     
       6. In a system as in claim 1, said station track being to side of said track to bring said container on said carrier along side said vehicle. 
     
     
       7. In a system as in claim 1, locating means to hold said container in fixed position on said vehicle, linkage means suspending said container from said carrier so as to be lifted therein when set on said locating means on said vehicle and transversely move with said vehicle yet remain connected or attached to said carrier but take vertical and transverse misalignments between said vehicle and carrier with said container firm on said vehicle. 
     
     
       8. A system as in claim 1, said container being a cage suspended from said carrier so as to transversely and vertically move thereon to rest firm in said vehicle, said station track being wide gage having rails just above and one on each side of said vehicle. 
     
     
       9. A station vehicle and trackway therefore including a cam track for container transfer substantially as described. 
     
     
       10. A system as in claim 1 the first said track being a railway track, a train thereon, said vehicle being a car in said train. 
     
     
       11. A system as in claim 1, said guide means being a double parallelogram linkage connecting said first frame to said second frame for parallel vertical movement and guide members depending from said first frame one at each end interfitting with said second frame for guiding in line with said first frame. 
     
     
       12. In a system as in claim 11, said members being channels turned legs endward and extending down to couple said vehicle, and latching coupling means on said vehicle for engaging in said channels therebetween so said carrier and vehicle are held in alignment during transfer.